With few exceptions, Mackinac Island’s building are constructed of wood and at least eleven are built of logs, most with clapboard siding. There is also an active history of building over existing buildings as well as moving buildings around on the Island which lends to each buildings history of place. Styles found on Mackinac Island span three centuries and include Native American, French Rustic, Military, Colonial, Victorian, Carpenter Gothic, Greek Revival, Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Shingle Style, Arts & Craft and American Foursquare. Current building efforts are watched carefully on the Island as we strive to adhere to strict guidelines. Grand Hotel and other turn of the century buildings seek to preserve the Island's architecture by working with preservation companies who often use guidelines set forth by those of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In part and because of Mackinac Island's architectural importance, the United States of America considers us a National Historic Landmark.

Native American-Known as the Anishnaabe, Ojibwe or Chippewa, prior to the coming of the Europeans, they moved according to a season-tapping for maple syrup and fishing in the spring, fishing and planting during the summer, harvesting wild rice in the fall and hunting, trapping and fishing during winter. Homes needed to be portable and the lightweight birch bark or wiigwaas was perfect to create a wiigiwam. Women were responsible for gathering and building the wiigiwams. Mackinac State Historic Parks built a replica of a Birch Bark Chapel in Marquette Park to show us what Mackinac's Indians used as a dwelling back in the day...and to remind us of the conversion program of the French Jesuit explorers.

French Rustic-At least two houses survive from the establishment of the village in the late eighteenth century. Built ca.1780, the McGulpin House is a one story log house of piece-sur-piece construction with a steeply pitched gable roof in the northern rustic french colonial style. This is the only known example of Northern French Rustic architecture found outside of France and the shores of Northeastern Canada.

Military-Fort Mackinac is an example of Islamic military architecture interpreted by Europeans on American soil. Islamic thought and architecture came to Europe via the crusades during the medieval era. Instead of using wood for military fortifications, the Islamic architects used stone or brick made from local materials in order to withstand fire. The French and Spanish crusaders brought this idea to the west after their extensive travels through the Islamic world. Fort Mackinac's wall reflect this influence while Fort Holmes reflects British Military architecture as it is completely made of wood and as a result has burned and been rebuilt several times. When architectural elements are in need of repair or consultation, the Mackinac State Historic Park Commission turns to professional restoration specialists to ensure everything is maintained properly.

Federalist-Mission Church and Bay Cottage, both built in the 1820's are like much of America's architecture, the Federal (or Federalist) style comes from England. Two British brothers named Adam adapted the Georgian style by adding swags, garlands and other quietly delicate details to their new style.

Here on Mackinac Island, the Federalist style shows us the early days of America as a Republic and the establishment of truly American institutions. The founders of the United States consciously chose to associate the nation with the ancient democracies of Greece and Rome(incidentaly, after most wars in the west, cultures look to Greece and Rome in architecture and fashion). This was a deliberate and marked contrast with the Gothic style, which was associated with feudalism and used widely across England.

While the Federalist style take its cue from Georgian Neoclassical styles, the Americans chose to be more sparce in their decoration which gives one a sense of calm befitting of a new nation reflecting freedom and peace.

Colonial-The Indian Dormitory was built in 1838 as a result of the Treaty of Washington negotiated by Indian Agent Henry Schoolcraft in 1836 as a place for the local tribal members to receive payments from the Great White Father. Schoolcraft designed the building and had it built by local Indian craftsman in the east coast colonial style. The Indians refused to sleep in the building and during the 20th century was used as the Mackinac Island Public School.

Greek Revival-Architectural features include a gable, front wings, full height classical portico and eared architraves. Haan's 1830 Inn and Harbourview Inn are excellent examples of Greek Revival homes. Both were built on the foundations of a fur trader’s cabins where builders used former

Carpenter Gothic-Small Point Bed & Breakfast is the one of only a few examples of Carpenter Gothic architecture on the Island. Built in 1882, this was moved to its current site in the 1950’s from the site of the Mission Point Theater. The term Gothic was used as a derogatory by Renaissance critics who scorned its lack of conformity to the standards of classic Greece and Rome. Gothic architecture was dominant in France and the western half of Europe in the 12th through the middle of the 16th centuries.

Stick Style-Angular and austere, the plainer Stick Style couldn't compete with Victorian tastes, especially the fancy Queen Anne style. As a result, there are few stick style homes left in America. Lucky for us, Mackinac Island probably has more stick style homes than Victorians, but no one is counting. Excellent examples of Stick style are the Lilac House, ingleneuk and Bogan Lane Inn.

Victorian Era-The term Victorian is not an architectural style but an era from 1840-1900 encompassing many styles. Gothic Revival, Carpenter Gothic, Stick Style, Shingle Style, Italianate, Second Empire, Romanesque and Queen Anne are all Victorian era styles. Examples of Victorian era architecture are plentiful on Mackinac Island. Early buildings include the Island House Hotel and Lake View Hotel. Stick style may be found gracing Bay View Bed & Breakfast and many cottages on the East Bluff while Queen Anne style holds sway at the cottage Brigadoon and on the West Bluff. Shingle Styles may be seen at the Governors Mansion, Anne Cottage and downtown on the west end of the boardwalk. Many of the homeowners during the turn of the 19th century worked with architects to create their own interpretation of Victorian era architecture which led to many of the beautiful cottages having many styles combined to create their dream homes. The best example of Victorian era style blending may be found at Ste Anne's Catholic Church which began as a Stick Style church with Gothic, Greek Revival, Shingle Style and Queen Anne elements blended together to create a soaring monument reaching out and up towards heaven.

Tudor Revival-Popular from the late 1800's through the 1930's Tudor revival homes are distinctive because of the Medieval influence of decorative woodwork with stucco or patterned brick between the timbers. During this revival, Victorian and Arts & Crafts movement elements were also incorporated into the homes. Considered stately yet romantic, Tudor Revival homes became popular to midwestern industrialists as the quintessential American estate. The Inn at Stonecliffe is a perfect example of Tudor Revival architecture on Mackinac Island.

Colonial Revival-Colonial Revival became a popular American house style after it appeared at the 1876 the US Centennial Exposition and was an intentional architectural reaction against elaborate Victorian architecture. In keeping with the grandeur presented at the World's Fair, Mackinac Island's best example is Grand Hotel. Some architectural historians say that Colonial Revival is within the boundaries of Victorian style; others believe that the Colonial Revival style marked the end of the Victorian period. Reflecting American simplicity and the new patriotism, the Colonial Revival house style remains popular today and during World War I and II, Colonial Revival was the most popular architectural style in the United States.

Click here for detailed information about Mackinac Island's architectural styles.